VP Boudou to head July 9 celebrations in Tucumán

Boudou filled in for the president today as he greeted Armenian president Serzh Sargsyas in an official function at the San Martin Palace.

After some uncertainty, it was finally confirmed today that vice-president Amado Boudou will fill in for President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and head Wednesday's Independence Day celebration in San Miguel de Tucumán.

The deputy was entrusted with leading the ceremony following a meeting this afternoon at the presidential residence in Olivos, as Cristina continues her recovery from pharyngeal laryngitis.

The illness has kept the head of state away from official duties since last Wednesday, forcing her to cancel a state visit to Paraguay in the past week.

Boudou filled in for the president today as he greeted Armenian president Serzh Sargsyas in an official function at the San Martin Palace.

The governor of the province of Tucumán José Alperovich had previously stated that provisional Senate president Gerardo Zamora, the former chief of Santiago del Estero, would be in charge of leading the act. "The ceremonies are practically the same, to replace the president the Senate's provisional president will come," Alperovich had assured.

The main ceremony will take place in the Mercedes Sosa theatre, located in the capital of Tucumán province. The July 9 celebration falls on the same day as Argentina's massive World Cup semi-final against the Netherlands, which kicks off at 5pm.